Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, one of the most influential figures in global haute couture, has died at the age of 93, his foundation announced on Monday.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the foundation said Garavani died surrounded by his loved ones at his residence in Rome. This announcement was followed by a flood of tributes from across the fashion world.
Funeral and public farewell in Rome
Add Zee News as favorite source
The foundation also released details of funeral arrangements and public commemorations. A lying in state will be held at PM 23, located in Rome’s Piazza Mignanelli 23, on Wednesday, January 21 and Thursday, January 22 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, allowing fans and members of the public to pay their respects.
Read this also Actor Arjun Bijlani’s father-in-law Rakesh Chandra Swamy dies suddenly after health emergency: Report
The funeral will take place on Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m. (1000 GMT) in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in the Plaza Della Repubblica, one of Rome’s most historic churches.
Early life and training in Paris
Valentino Garavani was born in 1932 in Voghera, a small town in northern Italy. Showing an early passion for fashion, he left Italy as a young man to train in Paris, which was the center of haute couture at the time. There, he worked in prestigious fashion houses and ateliers, refining the technical skills and aesthetic sensibility that would later define his work.
His Parisian training laid the foundation for a career that would seamlessly blend French couture traditions with Italian elegance and craftsmanship.
Establishing a Fashion Empire
After returning to Italy, Valentino established his own fashion house in Rome in 1959. His designs drew attention for their sophisticated silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and meticulous attention to detail. International recognition followed and Valentino became a favorite designer among royalty, Hollywood stars and high-society clients.
During the 1960s and 1970s, his brand expanded globally, cementing his reputation as one of Italy’s leading fashion designers and helping to establish Rome as a center of high fashion.
Signature ‘Valentino Red’
Among Valentino’s most enduring contributions to fashion was his distinctive use of the color red. Her elegant red gowns, crafted in a distinctive deep red, became instantly recognizable and became so closely associated with the designer that the color became known throughout the industry as “Valentino red”.
Retirement and lasting legacy
Valentino retired from active designing years ago, but his influence has never diminished.
Often described as the embodiment of Italian luxury, Valentino leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond clothes. She helped define modern haute couture and inspired generations of designers, ensuring her place as one of fashion’s true icons.